The government of the Philippines claims that the Chinese Coast Guard injured Filipino fishers and damaged their vessels during a confrontation near a disputed shoal.
In response, China accused the Philippines of organizing the fishing vessels as an illegal intrusion into its territory that its military was forced to repel.
The conflict is the latest flareup in the long-simmering dispute over fishing territory claimed by both nations in the South China Sea. Though China claims nearly the entire sea as its exclusive territory, Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines and Vietnam maintain competing claims to some of those fishing grounds and shoals. The Chinese Coast Guard and Navy have used aggressive tactics – including water cannons and risky maneuvers – to deter Filipino fishers from accessing those grounds, leading to several dangerous confrontations and multiple collisions.
The most recent confrontation took place 12 December, when a group of roughly 20 Filipino fishers encountered Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels near the Sabina Shoal, which is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The Chinese Coast Guard used high-pressure water hoses to repel the Filipino fishing vessels, injuring some crew members and damaging the vessels.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun blamed the government of the Philippines for the confrontation.
“On 12 December, the Philippines has taken organized and orchestrated moves to send a large number of ships to make provocations and create trouble in the waters off Xianbin Jiao and intruded into the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao,” Guo Jiakun said in a 15 December press conference. “The Philippines’ so-called fishing ships, despite China’s repeated dissuasion and warning, have deliberately anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao and repeatedly conducted dangerous maneuvers including veering suddenly off course. The Philippine personnel even threatened China Coast Guard officers with knives who were carrying out rights-defending law enforcement activities.
In the Philippines’ telling, their coast guard responded to reports that Chinese military vessels were harassing a group of roughly 20 Filipino fishing vessels
“On 12 December 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard [PCG] received reports that approximately 20 Filipino fishing boats [FFBs] operating lawfully in the area were targeted with water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers by CCG vessels 21559 and 21562 and accompanying [Chinese Maritime Militia]. In a brazen escalation, small CCG Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats deliberately cut the anchor lines of several FFBs, endangering the vessels and their crews amid strong currents and high waves,” Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on West Philippine Sea Concerns Jay Tarriela said in a release. “As a direct result of these aggressive actions, three Filipino fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds. Two [Filipino fishing vessels] also suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts.”
The PCG reported that it provided “critical support” and medical attention to the Filipino fishers, despite Chinese vessels in the area attempting to block their movement.
The United States Department of State put out a statement of support for the Philippines shortly after the incident.
“The United States condemns China’s water cannoning and cutting of anchor lines of Filipino fishers close to Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in a release. “These aggressive actions endangered Filipinos fishing for their livelihoods. We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors, which undermine regional stability.”
China was critical of the U.S. statement, asking the government to stay out of affairs in the South China Sea.
“The U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between parties concerned,” Guo Jiakun said. “The U.S. needs to stop making fact-distorting and provocative remarks and stop abetting and supporting the Philippines’ attempt of creating troubles in the South China Sea.”
The incident took place a day after the U.S. and Philippine militaries completed “a bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity” in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
